​Melissa Mae Kors is a New York City-based figurative painter, born in Louisiana, whose artwork lives at the dynamic intersection of realism and the subconscious. Known for her richly colored, pattern-dense, and highly detailed acrylic canvases, Kors blends traditional figurative techniques with surrealism to unpack complex human experiences like isolation, fear, joy, and empowerment. Her passion for creating began in Lake Charles, Louisiana, drawing alongside her father, which led her to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Painting from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and complete a residency at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York. While her pieces often appear whimsical and lighthearted at first glance, they are built upon deeply layered, intimate symbolism.

Through her multifaceted practice, Kors transforms personal histories into modern, visual mythologies across fine art gallery collections, custom commercial murals, and private portraits. Her vibrant body of work has been exhibited internationally in England and widely across the United States, with prominent features at Times Square, New York Fashion Week, and Six Summit Gallery in Manhattan. Ultimately, whether she is capturing the exact spirit of a custom commission or conceptualizing a surrealist narrative landscape, Kors aims to remind viewers of their own inner strength. Today, she operates from her Manhattan studio, where she continues to produce original work, showcase her art in major exhibitions, and collaborate with clients to create custom paintings and murals for businesses, alongside portrait paintings of pets and people for individuals.